Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour

Episode 117: Wellington Water Watchers Watershed 3

On February 11th, Wellington Water Watchers presented Watershed 3, a digital convention for water justice.

Horeen Hassan gives us an overview of that online conference.

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Episode 116: UPDATES - Public Health and Bill 23

It's Thursday February 9th and we've got two updates today.
 
Danny Williamson from Wellington/Dufferin/Guelph Public Health discusses the new drinking guidelines, drug poisoning, and, of course, COVID.

Mike Marcolongo outlines how the provincial government rushed Bill 23 and the Greenbelt carve-outs into law with very little regard for public consultation.  Conservation Authorities and Municipalities are scrambling to comply with draconian rules.  Bill 23, the "More Homes Built Faster" Act, is a short-sighted piece of legislation that dismantles environmental protections; sadly, everyone but the government sees that it will make the housing crisis even worse.

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Episode 115: Migrant Workers in Ontario

Both my mother's and father's parents employed seasonal workers to harvest tobacco; some came from Quebec and some lived in the area.  The Quebeckers loved my Nagymama's cooking and baking so much that they had a slogan:  "no pork, no work; no pie, goodbye!"

Fast forward 50 years:  while some seasonal workers continue to be part of an extended family, others endure appalling conditions.  Furthermore, their wages are garnished by middlemen who arrange the work placements.  Clearly, Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program needs to be closely examined and updated.

Our guest today is Gabriel Allahdua, the author of Harvesting Freedom:  The Life of a Migrant Worker in Canada.

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Episode 114: Open Mic

A range of topics raised by the audience.

 

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Episode 113: Downtown Infrastructure Renewal

Our Downtown has some Infrastructure that is nearly 100 years old. Pipes last a long time, and we are starting to get ready for the next 100 years with a renewal of infrastructure, water/wastewater pipes, storm sewers, roads, sidewalks and so much more.

Our guest are:

Reg Russwurm, Manager of Design and Construction

and

Stacey Laughlin, Downtown Revitalization Advisor

 

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Episode 112: Circular Food Economy

In May of 2019, Guelph and Wellington County won the national "Smart Cities" challenge.  "Our Food Future" aims to create Canada's FIRST circular food economy.  Two important goals involve Guelph-Wellington becoming a leader in getting more value out of the food industry and developing systems that decrease the amount of food waste.  

 

What else can we do with food waste beyond composting?  

How can food waste be reused to contribute to the well being of all?  

 

Many of us already use food scraps to make soup stock; many of us make “refrigerator soup”.  The food industry is already adept at employing some detritus from produce for other purposes.

 

Join us as we hear from our guests:

 

Justine Dainard, Smart Cities Project Manager, Wellington County, and

David Messer, Executive Director of Smart Cities, Guelph.

 

Breezy Breakfast, where even breath is not wasted on small talk.

 

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Episode 111: Food Insecurity in Guelph

Greetings and Happy New Year.  Welcome to the first episode of 2023.

Our topic today is Food Insecurity.  What causes it and who suffers from it?  What are the solutions?  Today we are joined by community members who deliver everything from fresh produce to hot cooked meals to those who would otherwise go hungry.

Barb McPhee explains how the North End Harvest Market - in conjunction with the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Group - provides fresh produce to many people.

We also hear from the Executive Director of Chalmers, Vicki Olatundun.  Chalmers takes a different approach to both food insecurity and the provision of personal hygiene products.

Mark Anderson is Managing Director of Royal City Mission (The Mission).  Each day The Mission provides cooked meals and warmth to more than 100 people, many of whom are living rough.  Mark points out other features of the Mission’s work.  Of particular interest is a new project for which funding is currently being sought:  a bathroom and bathing facility.

If you wish to donate to the above organizations or to support our volunteer-led community-based news service, please contact us at breezybullhorn@gmail.com.

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Special Episode on Bill 23 and the Greenbelt

Welcome to the first Breezy Breakfast Radio Hour of 2023!
We're starting this year with an episode of Radio Waterloo's CKMS Community Connections show.

Host Jeff Stager talks with Henriette Thompson and Kevin Thomason about the impacts of Bill 23 and the opening of the Greenbelt on the Region of Waterloo.

Five Musical interludes - including the clever Ontario Greenbelt Rap Song - remind us of how important it is to fight for Ontario's natural resources.

The last chance to comment on the province's plans to amend the Official Plans of the County of Wellington and the Regional Municipality of Waterloo is January 4th at 11:59 pm.

Google ERO Regional Waterloo and ERO Wellington County to show your support for local democracy.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

MAKE THE FORD GOVERNMENT FACE ITS CRISIS OF LEGITIMACY.

 

Episode 110: Multiyear Budgeting

The city of Guelph has a 500 million dollar budget.

How is revenue raised?
How is it used?
What is the relationship between taxes, federal and provincial funding and fees collected from builders and developers working in Guelph?

This week, we examine the advantages of multiyear budgeting and its relationship to the city’s Strategic Plan - Guelph’s blueprint for city building. 

Our guests this week are:

Shanna O’Dwyer, Strategic Finance Leader
Stephanie Devost, Senior Corporate Analyst Budget Strategy
Trevor Lee, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) Corporate Services

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Episode 109: Bill 23 ”More Homes Built Faster” Act

This week on Breezy Breakfast we consider Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act. 

We hear from Rural Planner David Douglas, 
Guelph's Green MPP Mike Schreiner,
and Bill McBain, broadcast journalist and teacher of government relations at Seneca College.

Bill 23 has been presented as a bill to address housing shortfalls in Ontario.  Experts in planning, housing, and municipal finance believe it is anything but.  Skepticism runs high about the likelihood of Bill 23 creating any truly affordable housing in Ontario.

Listen to our experts as they address these issues and respond to concerns from our Breakfast guests.

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